Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 8:1, 4
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
Commentary:
8:1 they were all scattered. The scattering or “dispersion” (Gk. diaspeirō, “to scatter, disperse”) of the believers throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria was similar to the earlier diaspora (“dispersion”) of Jews throughout the world, but this “dispersion” led to the fulfillment of the promise in Acts 1:8 that the gospel would go to the end of the earth (cf. James 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1).
Questions:
- All the believers were huddled up in Jerusalem until persecution broke out. This drove all the believers into the regions of Judea and Samaria. Ironically, it was this persecution that fulfills Jesus' words in Acts 1:8 that said they would be his "witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The persecution of Christians simply resulted in the further spreading of the gospel. If you were to face persecution, could your faith withstand it? What kind of faith would it take to not only withstand the persecution, but to be even more of a witness in the face of it?
- As a believer, you have the Holy Spirit of God living on the inside of you. He is always speaking to you, leading you, guiding you into all truth. Since we know that sharing the gospel is a command from God, there is no doubt the Holy Spirit will be leading you to do just that on a regular basis. Have you ever felt this nudge from the Holy Spirit? Do you think your ears are tuned in enough to his voice that you could even discern when and if he is speaking? What has he been saying to you today?
Pray:
- That you would develop a bold, gospel-sharing faith.
- That you would learn to discern the Holy Spirit's voice and have the boldness to obey.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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